17 April 2023 , 12:38
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John McGinn hasn't wasted the opportunity to put Callum Wilson in his place after the Newcastle striker's " fire brigade" remark.
Wilson gave McGinn's Aston Villa plenty ammunition ahead of their meeting on Saturday, as he suggested the emergency services were need to put "the fire out". The comment was a reference to Newcastle's superb form under Eddie Howe this season.
Villa responded by thumping Newcastle 3-0 at home on Saturday to dent their Premier League top-four hopes. Not content with their resounding win, Scotland international McGinn has made a cheeky remark of his own to leave Wilson with his egg on his face.
McGinn was asked about Wilson's pre-match comment after Saturday's game during a chat with the Express & Star. He replied: "Actually, I didn’t notice that but like a lot of emergency services at the minute, the fire brigade must have been on strike."
Newcastle are enjoying a superb season under Eddie Howe. They are fourth in the Premier League table, three points ahead of Tottenham in fifth, and are now expected to beat the likes of Spurs and Liverpool to a Champions League qualification spot.
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As such, Wilson was full of confidence heading into Saturday's game. "Looks like we're going to have to put the fire out," Wilson told the BBC's Footballer's Football Podcast - delivering his now regrettable line. "Someone call the fire brigade!
John McGinn helped Aston Villa to victory against Newcastle (Getty Images)What did you make of Callum Wilson's remark? Let us know in the comments below!
"We've won the last five. On form it's a good fixture, they'll have extra motivation as we beat them [Villa] 4-0 at home. It's going to be a game where they want to get their own back in front of the fans. It's going to be a difficult match."
It proved to be exactly that, as a brace from Ollie Watkins helped Villa ease to victory. Unai Emery's side have now picked up 22 points from the last 24 available to jump up to sixth in the Premier League table - just six points behind Newcastle in fourth.
While it seems unlikely Villa will catch Newcastle, qualifying for Europe is now a possibility for the West Midlands club. McGinn is confident his team can get over the line.
The Scot added: "I said last week we need to be almost perfect to get European football. I think we would maybe need to be 100 per cent to get there [Champions League].
"As much as we are getting really excited, it is important we make sure the group does not get too carried away. As good as we feel at the moment, this game can bring you down like a ton of bricks.
"Brentford next week is a huge game for us. They are someone we have been chasing all season and now we have the opportunity to put them behind us. Once it is full-time there, we will see where we are."